California Budget Demonstrates Commitment to HIV Prevention and Care for All Californians

SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, 2015—San Francisco AIDS Foundation applauds Governor Jerry Brown and members of the California State Legislature for approving a state budget that includes key provisions ensuring Californians have access to essential HIV prevention, treatment and care services.

“California’s commitment to ending the spread of HIV and to helping those living with HIV to have long, healthy lives is real,” said Neil Giuliano, San Francisco AIDS Foundation CEO. “ADAP, OA-HIPP, and syringe access are among the most vital and effective public programs that enable Californians to gain access to and afford medical treatment, stay in care, and protect themselves from HIV and hepatitis C infection. The newly-funded PrEP initiative will help prevent the spread of HIV and allow community-based organizations like San Francisco AIDS Foundation to reinvest limited resources in these types of evidence-based, high-impact prevention efforts, ensuring that California remains a leader in HIV prevention.”

The 2015-2016 budget contains provisions which:

Increase the income eligibility threshold for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and the Office of AIDS Health Insurance Premium Payment (OA-HIPP) program to 500% the federal poverty level (to approximately $58,000/year for individuals). Additional changes will facilitate better coordination with Medi-Cal and Covered California standards and ensure comparable benefits for single people and for those with families.

Provide a historic $2 million for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiatives. PrEP is a scientifically-proven and highly-effective HIV prevention strategy that involves taking a daily medication and regular engagement with health care providers. Funds will create PrEP navigator positions statewide that will educate individuals and help them gain access to PrEP. Additional funds will enable the State Office of AIDS to develop and implement a statewide plan to increase PrEP awareness among providers and access for people at risk for HIV.

Provide $3 million for essential supplies for syringe access and disposal, and lifts restrictions on how existing local and/or private funds can be used to provide wrap-around services such as additional staffing or supplies other than syringes.

Allocate $2.2 million to link Californians living with hepatitis C to medical insurance and care. Regular screening for hepatitis C facilitates early detection, reduces the risk of late-stage liver disease, and protects others from infection.

“This historic funding is an important first step to ensure equitable access to this innovative HIV prevention tool statewide,” said Courtney Mulhern-Pearson, director of state & local affairs at San Francisco AIDS Foundation. “We must also ensure that people know their options, have access to existing cost assistance programs, and insurance plans that make PrEP more affordable.”

San Francisco AIDS Foundation launched a PrEP Health Program in November 2014 through Magnet, its sexual health clinic in the Castro. Still in a pilot phase with limited enrollment, over 350 individuals from around the Bay Area access PrEP through the program, which employed San Francisco’s first PrEP benefits navigator to help participants gain access to health insurance and assistance programs. Since the beginning of the pilot program, no new HIV infections have been observed among program participants and adherence rates are high. In late summer 2015, the foundation plans to expand its program to be offered at its 1035 Market Street headquarters.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation has also run the educational website “Prepfacts.org” since 2012—the same year that the FDA approved the HIV medication Truvada for pre-exposure prophylactic use.

About San Francisco AIDS FoundationNo city experienced epidemic levels of HIV faster than San Francisco. At San Francisco AIDS Foundation, we work to end the epidemic where it first took hold, and eventually everywhere. Established in 1982, our mission is the radical reduction of new infections in San Francisco. Through education, advocacy, and direct services for prevention and care, we are confronting HIV in communities most vulnerable to the disease. More information about the foundation is available at www.sfaf.org.

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We believe that San Francisco can be the first U.S. city to end the HIV epidemic. Every day, we provide free prevention and care services to people in hard-hit neighborhoods—and advocate for them to public officials—because we can envision the day when we beat HIV.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation which has been granted tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Our Federal EIN is 94-2927405 and our California corporation number is C1241510.